Patent GB-363317-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to indicators for totalisators, scoring boards and otherlarge apparatus for giving indications at a distance
IPC: A63B71/06
Filed: 1930-09-15
Abstract: 363,317. Electric signalling systems. ERICSSON TELEPHONES, Ltd., 67, Kingsway, London, and ENGBLOM, J. F. T., Villa Tomoana, Elm Avenue, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Sept. 15, 1930, No. 27545. [Class 40 (i).] In an indicator for a totalizator or a scoring board, one or more of the digits of a single amount to be displayed is or are indicated on a fixed linear scale, and another or others numerically in a display space in which any desired character or characters can be represented. Either the lower or the higher digits may be indicated on the linear scale and the display space may comprise a monogrammic indicator. In the embodiment described, a horse total indicator for a totalizator, bets up to one thousand are displayed on a column of lamps LI, L2 .. L10 .., Fig. 1, a lamp being lighted for each ten bets. For each one thousand bets a lamp group such as LT2 is lighted the number of thousands being shown by the corresponding numeral 8. The tens of thousands are displayed on a monogrammic indicator 9, as described in Specification 326,637, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.], and the horse number on a further monogrammic indicator 10. Operation; tens control switch. The tens, hundreds and thousands elements of the indicator are operated by control switches A; B, C; and D respectively, stepped in synchronism with corresponding horse registering denominational switches T, HD, and TD. When betting commences a relay ST (not shown) is operated. A relay E, Fig. 2, operates over contacts st2, and, the registering and control switches being at normal, a relay H is operated over contacts st1 and wipers t1 and a4. A relay K, Fig. 3, is operated over contacts el, a1, Fig. 2, b1 and c1, and the lamp LI is lighted over contacts k4, Fig. 3, wipers a2, b2, and line 1 to display " zero." Assuming a tens bet to be now registered (units bets are not indicated), the wiper t1 moves to its second contact breaking circuit of relay H whereupon contacts h1 close, the driving magnet ADM energizes over contacts k1, Fig. 3, and h1, Fig. 2, and breaks the circuit of relay K at contacts a1, the resultant opening of contacts k1 de-energizing magnet ADM which steps the switch A to its second contacts when relay H is again energized. The lamp L2 is now lighted to display ten units, the circuit being over contact k4, wipers a2 and c6 and line 2. Lamp L1 remains lighted over contact k4, wipers a3 and b2, line 1. The switch A is similarly stepped in synchronism with switch T on the reception of further tens bets, corresponding lamps in the column being similarly lighted. Contact k4 is arranged to remain closed while k1 releases during stepping of switch A, and the wiper a3 being of the forward bridging type (that is, it reaches a bank contact just before wiper a2 has left the previous contact), the circuit of the upper previously lighted lamp is maintained and the next lamp in the scale lighted. when a new indication is set up. Hundreds control switch. When the hundredth bet is registered, switches T and A step to normal and a transfer is effected to registering switch HD. A relay SH (not shown) operates and a relay J analogous to relay E energizes over contacts sh2. Relays F and G now function similarly to relay H, interacting with the driving magnets BDM and CDM to step the hundreds control switches Band C in synchronism with the registering switch HD and so on for further hundreds bets. The appropriate two lamps in the tens column are lighted over the wipers a2, a3; b2.. b6 ; c2 .. c7 corresponding to the tens digit. Higher denominations; control. When a thousandth bet is registered switches T, A, HD, B, and C are zeroized and a transfer effected to the registering switch TD, the control switch D being stepped in synchronism therewith as are the lower denominational control switches. The lamp group LT2 is lighted to display one thousand over contact n2, wiper d2, and line 7, further lamp groups LT3, LT4, .. being similarly operated over wiper d2 to indicate a total of two, three.. thousand. The appropriate thousands numerals 8 may be outlined. Tens of thousands and any higher digits of the total are indicated on monogrammic indicators such as 9 which may be similar to that shown in Specification 340,288, [Group XIX]. A plurality of indicators may be operated as above from centrally located registering switches over the commoning points CM. Modifications. The thousands lamps LT2.. may be replaced by an additional monogrammic indicator. In the linear scale a division representing one hundred bets may comprise twenty horizontal rows each of five lamps, the lamps of a row being lighted successively from left to right as each unit bet is registered until the whole row is alight. The next bet may light the first lamp in the next row and either extinguish or dim the row immediately below. In this case the units digit control switch will have five wipers, one for different lamps in a row. If the first row is dimmed as the second row is lighted, it may be extinguished and the second row dimmed as the third row is lighted, and so on. As the illuminated row moves up the division a numeral representative thereof may be displayed by illuminating a combination of lamps in the rows. The required lamps may be lighted by a relay having a contact for each lamp and operated when the last row of lamps in the division is extinguished. Alternatively a relay may be provided for each row and maintain lighted the required lamps of the row the others being extinguished as the linear indication advances. In this case the same lamps are used for both a linear and numerical indication. The lamps forming the numeral of a division may be dimmed or extinguished when those for the numeral of the next division are lighted, by the operation of.the control relay of the higher division. Alternatively a division representing one hundred bets may comprise two vertical rows each of ten lamps, one row for units and the other for tens. The fixed linear scale may be non-decimal or non-uniform, and the indicator therefor may comprise a pointer, illuminated if desired, fixed to an endless band controlled by the stepping switches. According to the Provisional Specification the linear scale need not be straight but curved or zig-zag, and the lamps thereof may be covered by a perforated or translucent screen. Specification 341,991, [Group XIX], also is referred to.